Animated illuminated sign



Aug. 1, 1933. A w 1,920,826

ANIMATED ILLUMINATED S IGN Filed Sept. 9, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ficocge H. Wig

Au 1, 1933. G. A. WING 1,920,826

ANIMATED ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Sept. 9, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 1, 1933 ANIMATED ILLUMINATED SIGN George A. Wing, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Cincinnati Advertising Products Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a Corporationof Ohio Application September 9, 1930. Serial No. 480,679

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an animated illuminated sign wherein is provided a translucent glass or like sign character bearing plate, a translucent edge of which plate is subjected. to

light rays projected through a colorful translucent moving tape, or a tape otherwise treated to impart attractiveness 'to the character bearing plate.

An object of the invention is to provide a sign of glass or the like carrying suitable indicia or characters, an edge of which sign is subjected to light rays passing through a translucent moving tape treated to change the color, or the frequency, of the light rays. Another object is to provide a device of the above type that is constructed so as tobe sim ple, inexpensive and fool-proof, and which requires no attention or adjustment.

A further object is to provide a device of the above character with means whereby the tape and light globes may readily be replaced by others to impart to the sign plate various lighting effects.

Another object is to provide a device of the the motive power ofwhich operates the tape moving mechanism.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein anddisclosed in the ac- 7 the invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a length of vari-colored tape employed in the device of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a front elevationalyiew of a sign structure having in combination a clock from which-power taken for moving the tape.

The device of the invention comprises a base 8 provided with feet 9 and a suitable cover 10, the sides 11 of. which are developed, at their upper edges, into a pair of parallel upright flanges 12 between which the translucent glass sign element 01' plate 13 may be disposed and secured in an upright position. Any suitable securing meansfor the plate maybe employed, for examabove character having in combination a clock,

ple bolts or screws 14 passing through perforations in the flanges and the glass plate.

The sign element or plate preferably is of glass or like material, the front face 15 of which carries suitable indicia or advertising matter 16. The advertising matter may be etched into the face 15, if desired. 7 i

It is to be noted that the translucent lower edge 17 of the sign plate is exposed to rays of light that may be projected upwardly by the electric lamps 18 and the reflectors 19 on the base 8. The rays thus projected pass through a colored or vari-colored band of tape 20 that passes over rollers 21 at opposite ends of the base. The uppermost run 22 of the tape band lies in close proximity with the edge 17 of the sign plate, and in a plane at right angles thereto. The rollers are mounted for rotation upon suitable supports 23 which are riveted, screwed or otherwise secured to the base. The supports also may provide a mounting for the lamp sockets 24 in which the electric lamps 18 are mounted. At 25 are indicated clamps for mounting the lamp sockets.

Means are provided for continuously moving the vari-colored band of type 20, which may be formed of celluloid or similar transparent film material. Said means comprises a constant speed electrical motor 26, the shaft of which is geared to a counter shaft 27 carrying at one end thereof a sprocket-like member 28 provided with teeth 29 adapted to engage in the rows of spaced parallel openings 30 formed in the continuous band 20. As indicated in Fig. 1, the sprocket member 28 is disposed between a pair of the rollers 21, and is so located with respect to a line passing through the axes of the roller 21, as to provide for considerable contact with the band 20'. This relationship is effected by disposing the periphery of the sprocket member 'in substantially a line with the plane passing through the axes of the pair of rollers 21. As indicated in the wiring diagram of Fig. 4., the lampsand motor 26 are electrically connected, in parallel relationship. The cover-'10 oi the device may be provided with suitable'ventilating openings 32 located to preclude emission-of light rays from the interior of the device, and the ends of the device are closed by end plates 33. As indicated in Fig. 5, the band of tape20 may be streaked with various colors, the streaked and colored areas being represented by the character 34. The streaked areas preferably are translucent, but it is to be understood 1 that one or more of them may be opaque or or clear transparency, depending upon the lighting efiect desired. From the fore 'oi' shoul be apparent. that electrical energi lamps and motor will cause the l ject their rays through the vari-colo and onto the lower edge 17 of the the band is moved by reason of on motor. An effective, animated an sign thereby is produced, which pi attractive appearance. have a transparent or opaque back, depending upon the effect to be produced, and the band 20 may be so treated as to project light rays cor responding to trade-marl; colors or the n I flickering type of sign may be produced by coating the band at intervals with material paint that is opaque.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a sign plate 35, similar to 15 and mounted in the same manner upon a base or support 36 having disposed at the front thereof a time keeping device 37, th motor 38 of which drives a sprocket 39 over which the tape may pass. In this embodiment, the band 40 passes over the sprocket and a pair of rollers 41 at opposite ends of the device, the sprocket and rollers being disposed in triangular relationship. As in the first form of the device the uppermost run 42 of the tape is located adjacent to and in parallelism with the lower edge of the sign plate. Lamps similar to those shown in Fig. 2, are indicated by 43. lhe band of tape 40 may be identical with the band 20 of Fig. 5,

. and may be readily replaced by bands decorated attractive sign, the mechanism of which is constant of operation, and which requires no adjusting or other attention. Furthermore, the devices are inexpensive of manufacture. It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in structural details of the device may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: r 1: In an animated illuminated-sign, the combination with a sign plate of translucent mate rial bearing a display matter, and a supporting means therefor, of a source of light arranged to project rays only upon one edge of the sign plate, a transparent tape arranged to move intermediate the sign plate and thesource of light, said tape being vari-colored to change the character of the light rays, and means for transmitting motion to the tape.

2. In an animated illuminated sign, the combination with asign plate of translucent material bearing display matter, and a supportin means therefor, of a source of light arranged to project rays only upon one edge or" the sign plate, a transparent tape arranged to move the cover for mounting the plate with an edge The sign plate mag accuses thereof exposed to the interior of the cover, a source of light within the cover and arranged to project light rays toward the said edge of the sign plate, a constant speed electric motor, a continuous perforate band of vari-colored tape disposed within the cover, means for supporting the tape for movement adjacent the translucent edge of the sign plate, and power transmitting means comprising a sprocket driven "by the motor and having teeth engaging the perforations of the band.

4. In an animated illuminated sign, the combination with a sign plate of translucent material bearing display matter, and a supporting means therefor, of a source of light arranged to projectrays only upon one edge of the sign plate, a transparent tape arranged to move intermediate the sign plate and the source of light, said tape having alternate opaque and translucent ections, and an electric motor driven means for transmitting motion to the tape.

5. In an animated illuminated sign, the combination-with a sign plate of translucent material bearing display matter, and a supporting means therefor, of a source of light, arranged to project rays only upon one edge of the sign plate, a transparent tape arranged to move intermediate the sign plate and the source of light, said tape having alternate opaque and translucent sections, an electric motor driven means associated with the tape for effecting continuous longitudinal movement thereof.

6. In a device of the class described the combination of a support and a cover therefor, a sign plate of translucent material bearing display matter, means on the cover for mounting the plate with an edge exposed to the interior of the cover, a source of light within the cover and arranged to project light rays toward the said edge of the sign plate, a motor, a continuous band of tapehaving alternate opaque and translucent sections and disposed within the cover, means for supporting the tape intermediate the source of light and the edge of. the sign platefor movement adjacent to and in the direction of extension of the aforesaid edge of the sign plate, and powertransmitting means between the band and the motor.

'3. In a device of the class described the combination of a support and a cover therefor, a sign plate of translucent material bearing display matter, means on the cover for mounting the plate with an edge exposed to-the interior of the cover, a source of light within the cover and arranged to project light rays toward the said edge of the sign plate, a constant speed electric motor, a continuous perforate band of tape having alternate opaque and translucent sections, and disposed within the cover, means for supporting the tape for movement adjacent the translucent edge of. the, sign plate, and power transmitting means comprising a sprocket driven by the motor and having teeth engaging the perforations of the band.

8. In a device of the class described the combination of a support and a cover therefor, a sign plate of translucent material bearing dispiay matter, means on the cover for mounting the'plate with an edge exposed to the interior of. the cover, a source of light within the cover and arranged to project light rays toward the said-edge of the sign plate, a motor, a continuous band of vari-colored tape disposed within the cover, means for supporting the tape intermeans therefor, of a source of light arranged to project rays only upon one edge of the sign plate, a transparent tape arranged to move intermediate the sign plate and the source of light, said tape being vari-colored to change the character of the light rays, and means for transmitting motion to the tape.

GEORGE A. WING. 

